Thousands of people turned out to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Accrington Carnival.

King George’s Playing Fields were packed as around 8,000 people turned out to watch the fantasy and fairytale procession wind its way through the town before the festivities kicked off.

Even the sunshine made an appearance to bring out the crowds

Tracy Simmonds, who was part of the Accrington Lions committee which organised the carnival, said: “On behalf of the Lions, we just want to thank the entire community for coming out and being part of the carnival. We also want to thank North Lancs Training Group, without their sponsorship we wouldn’t have been able to put the carnival on.

“It was fantastic to see so many people out at the carnival making memories, and I’m so glad we got the weather we had hoped for.

“The kids absolutely loved Anya and Else from Frozen who came along and the mascot race was won by Elysium in Great Harwood, and MP Graham Jones gave a £100 prize to their charity.”

The playing fields were packed with entertainment from parachute displays, viking re-enactments, bubble football, mascot races, wrestling and live music.

Crowds were entertained with lively displays from The Prince of Wales’s Royal Regiment Parachute Team, Anya and Elsa from Pop Up Princess, Punch and Judy show, face painting, balloon modelling, and The Soundcasters, who formed in the same year as the first carnival, were on hand for the musical entertainment.

Mayor of Hyndburn Marlene Haworth said: “It was a fabulous day, the weather was brilliant and it was great to see thousands of people coming together from all over the Borough.

“The floats in the carnival procession were exceptional.

“The carnival brought the community together, it’s fantastic.”

Carnival Queen Bethany Donohue said she had a fantastic day.

She said: “It was great day, it was nice to get driven around in the car, I was on the field right until the end, my feet were killing me.

“The Carnival Princess Ellie Walsh had a great day too, it was fantastic and I’m so glad the we had the good weather for it as well.”